Ministerial Correction

Monday 29 June 2009

Women and Equality

Age Discrimination

Jo Swinson:
I am glad that the Minister mentions Young Equals and I am sure he has read its excellent report, Making the case, which details harmful age discrimination against young people, so how can the Government justify ignoring that evidence and excluding under-18s from protections in the Equality Bill?

An error has been identified in the oral response given to the hon. Member for East Dunbartonshire (Jo Swinson) on 25 June 2009. The exchange was as follows:

Jo Swinson:
I am glad that the Minister mentions Young Equals and I am sure he has read its excellent report, Making the case, which details harmful age 29 Jun 2009 : Column 2MC
discrimination against young people, so how can the Government justify ignoring that evidence and excluding under-18s from protections in the Equality Bill?

Michael Jabez Foster:
We all agree that young people deserve the best possible start in life, but the most appropriate and effective way to deliver better opportunities and services for our young people is through targeted initiatives, which is why, in January, we announced an extra 350,000 apprenticeship places, half of which we expect to go to 16 to 18-year-olds. It is also why we are investing £225 million over three years to support local communities. We need to support vulnerable young people who become homeless. Such targeted initiatives will have the greatest effect for the benefit of young people.

The correct answer should have been:

Michael Jabez Foster:
We all agree that young people deserve the best possible start in life, but the most appropriate and effective way to deliver better opportunities and services for our young people is through targeted initiatives, which is why, in January, we announced an extra 35,000 apprenticeship places, half of which we expect to go to 16 to 18-year-olds. It is also why we are investing £225 million over three years to support local communities. We need to support vulnerable young people who become homeless. Such targeted initiatives will have the greatest effect for the benefit of young people.